India on Tuesday gave Nepal financial assistance of over $400,000 (nearly Rs 2.72 crore) for organising an eye care programme across the country.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Embassy and Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS), a non-profit organisation, for holding Eye Care Programme in various districts of the country as part of India-Nepal Cooperation Programme of the Indian government.
India extended financial assistance “of NRs 44.16 million (over $400,000 or nearly Rs 2.72 crore) to Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh for organising Eye Care Programme in various Districts of Nepal,” an Indian Embassy statement said.
Nepal’s Minister of Health and Population Ram Janam Chaudhary and India’s Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae were present at the event where the MoU was signed.
Since 2001, the Indian government has provided a total grant assistance of Nepali Rs 254.16 million ($2.54 million or nearly Rs 17.18 crore) to NNJS for organising eye care services in the different corners of the country.
The assistance by the Indian government has facilitated in performing of more than 11,7000 cataract surgeries, 4200 Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT) surgeries and more than 37,200 students have benefited from the optical devices donated under School Eye Health Care Programme.
The Indian government has decided to continue its financial assistance to NNJS for Cataract and School eye care programme in future.